High-achieving students honored at Platinum Awards

July 25, 2001

KALAMAZOO -- Sixty Western Michigan University students were
recognized for their academic achievements and leadership abilities
during the 2001 Platinum Awards celebration held this past spring
at WMU.

The annual event is sponsored by the Division of Multicultural
Affairs to honor and encourage students who participate in the
division's programs.

This year's recognition celebration featured seven students
who received named scholarships and leadership awards for the
2000-01 academic year. In addition, 23 freshmen and 30 sophomores
received Excellence in Academic Achievement certificates for
attaining a 3.0 or higher grade point average.

Two named scholarships were presented to participants of WMU's
Martin Luther King Jr. Program.

Maggie Chin, a recent graduate from Ada, Mich., majoring
in elementary education won the Kimon Bournazos Award for having
the program's highest grade point average for a senior graduating
April 21.

Idris Rashid, an April graduate from Pontiac, Mich.,
majoring in computer information systems, won the Martin Luther
King Jr. Program Award for maintaining high academic standards
while being an active community service volunteer.

Five named leadership awards also were presented.

Maria de La Rosa, a senior from Weslaco, Texas, majoring
in elementary education, and Samuel Centellas, a senior
from Saginaw, Mich., majoring in engineering graphics and industrial
design, received the Liderazgo Award, which goes to individuals
whose leadership has served as a source of strength and support
to the Latino community. Centellas is a member of WMU's Lee Honors
College. Both Centellas and de La Rosa expect to graduate in
2002.

Ian LaBlance, a 2001 graduate from Sault Ste. Marie,
Ontario, received the Ogimaawiwin Award, which is presented as
recognition of outstanding academic progress and significant
contributions to WMU's Native American community. LaBlance majored
in art education and has been accepted as a graduate student
at the University of Wisconsin.

This year's Mentor of the Year award went to Trina Williams,
a social work major from Three Rivers, Mich., who graduated April
21.

The final leadership award, the Special Recognition award,
was presented to alumna Tania Dwyer of Kalamazoo for her
service and commitment to the Division of Multicultural Affairs
Mentor/Mentee Program. Dwyer, a criminal justice major, graduated
from WMU in December 2000.